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Interleukin 6, Plasma

Test Codes

Mayo: IL6, EPIC: LAB6292, Beaker: XINT6

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Lavender-top EDTA tube.
Critical frozen. Send specimens for processing immediately after collection.

• Separate samples must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 0.5 mL plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected and processed as indicated. 

In-Lab Processing

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Transport: 0.5 mL plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 30 minutes
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 24 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 21 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available in 2-9 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence.

Clinical Utility

IL-6, a multi-functional cytokine produced by a range of cells, plays a central role in host defense mechanisms, is involved in induction of B-cell differentiation, induction of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor expression and proliferation and differentiation of T cells. Elevated IL-6 concentrations are reported in a variety of autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), proliferative diseases (e.g., mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis), and malignancies (e.g., leukemia and lymphoma).

CPT Codes

83520
LOINC:  26881-3

Contacts

Last Updated

7/7/2021